What you will do

decide if the company financial reports give an accurate view of the business

check that funds are used wisely and within the law, especially if working for a government department or agency

ensure that financial statements comply with professional accounting standards in New Zealand

oversee the stocktake of a business to ensure staff are following accounting procedures correctly.

Skills and knowledge

Auditors need to have:

an understanding of the principles of finance and accounting

knowledge of tax law

knowledge of accounting systems and practices.

Working conditions

Auditors:

usually work regular business hours, but may need to work evenings and weekends, or be on call

work in offices at accounting firms, government departments and private businesses

may travel locally to clients' businesses.

What's the job really like?

Nicola Hankinson - Audit Manager

No regrets

"I thought I would study international business and marketing at uni. But as I was flicking through the paper, I realised there were no jobs ads for international business, and the ads for marketing wanted you to have experience but not necessarily a degree," says Nicola Hankinson.

"Then I noticed that there were heaps of ads for auditors and thought, 'Aha, that might be better!' "

Nicola doesn't regret her decision for a moment. "What I really enjoy is the fact that you learn so much about different businesses. You meet different people and it's just a really broadening experience."

Travel perks can be part of the job

"After I became CA [Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand] qualified, I travelled around Europe and came back with the travel bug. Thankfully, when I returned to work at Audit New Zealand I was required to travel, which was great! I was sent to Samoa and Niue, and it was good to feel I was still getting out there."

It helps if you're reasonably outgoing. You have to go to lots of different businesses and if you're able to relate well with the clients and get across important information to them, then that's a plus.

Nicola Hankinson - Audit Manager

Useful experience

Useful experience for auditors includes work in:

research

accounting

communications.

Registration

Membership with Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand is recommended.